FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALLEGANY FRANCISCAN MINISTRIES ANNOUNCES $1.286 MILLION INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE JUSTICE & CARE FOR CREATION INITIATIVE

Palm Harbor, FL, July 11, 2024 –Allegany Franciscan Ministries is proud to announce a transformative investment of $1,286,500 over the past year to support its new priority focus area: Climate Justice & Care for Creation. This significant contribution includes $774,000 in awards to 22 organizations across Florida, selected through a competitive grant process.

The grants are dedicated to initiatives that:
– Educate workers, employers, and communities about the impact of extreme heat on outdoor workers and those spending significant time outside.
– Raise awareness about climate gentrification and its effects on low-income communities and communities of color.
– Develop coalitions addressing the climate crisis.

Tessa Petit, Executive Director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition, highlighted the profound impact of this support: “With funds from Allegany, we can take impactful steps towards uniting the climate justice ecology in ways that educate and raise awareness about extreme heat while simultaneously empowering and protecting those most impacted.”

Along with the competitive grants, Allegany awarded 11 additional Climate Justice & Care for Creation grant over the past year. These grants support a diverse array of activities, including community organizing, power-building, training and education, the creation of green spaces, and the production of a documentary film highlighting the challenges faced by migrant workers.

Eileen Coogan, President & CEO of Allegany Franciscan Ministries, remarked, “Throughout the grant review process, we were inspired by the passion and commitment of people and organizations across our state. They recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and are raising their voices to address it. In the coming years, we aim to amplify their voices and support their local and collaborative efforts.”

Allegany Franciscan Ministries has embarked on a strategic initiative to address the impact of climate change on communities of color and other historically marginalized groups, protecting both people and our common home. Allegany acknowledges the ongoing marginalization of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled populations, who disproportionately suffer from the effects of climate change.

The long-term vision of the initiative is for every community Allegany serves to have the resources, support, and opportunities necessary to thrive amidst the uncertainties and threats posed by climate change. To further this vision, Allegany plans to award up to $2 million in FY25 in support of the Climate Justice & Care for Creation Initiative.

The funded organizations and their communities are diverse, spanning most areas of Florida, with concentrations in South Florida, Central Florida, and the Tampa Bay region. The projects serve a wide range of communities at risk from extreme heat and climate gentrification, including agricultural and construction workers, formerly incarcerated individuals, low-income BIPOC communities, Black or Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals, and nonbinary or gender nonconforming individuals. Some initiatives also focus on faith-based communities or aim to expand their networks to include these groups; others raise climate awareness among students and medical professionals.

A detailed list of the organizations receiving funds from July 2023 through July 2024 is available HERE.